You're sure that Ruth performed better with alcohol in his system? Okay. I'm sure that Bonds' claims that he didn't know what he was putting into his body is complete and utter bullflop. Neither one is getting proved.

Comparing Ruth using alcohol and Aaron using caffeine to Bonds using steroids is like comparing jaywalking to a hit-and-run. Both illegal, but only one is a serious offense.

sach0032 wrote:You're sure that Ruth performed better with alcohol in his system? Okay. I'm sure that Bonds' claims that he didn't know what he was putting into his body is complete and utter bullflop. Neither one is getting proved.

Comparing Ruth using alcohol and Aaron using caffeine to Bonds using steroids is like comparing jaywalking to a hit-and-run. Both illegal, but only one is a serious offense.

I say no. Being from the same town, I plead homer and want Hank to keep the record. However, I don't really mind if Barry gets it. It's just....there's a lot more to my enjoyment of the game than whose name is in a record book. I dislike Bonds, but it won't diminish my love of the game if he gets it.

Maybe I've missed it in the mass of Bonds posts, but there seem to be a couple of factors that aren't being brought up. I'm not sure how to fit them into all the other data, but they strike me as relevant.

The first is that it's not really very fair to compare Bonds AB/HR ratios with other players. Better to compare his PA/HR. Given the number of walks he's getting, one would expect his home run rate per AB to go up simply for that reason alone. Using plate appearances/home run will probably be a better metric of comparison.

The other consideration is that he moved to a new ballpark in 2000. A ballpark that was designed for his swing. Here are some numbers to compare.

Clearly Bonds saw a huge jump in his numbers. The huge jump, though, correlates more closely with his move to [phone company]park than it does to his supposed steroid use.

I'm not trying to argue that he never used steroids. I think it's probable that he, and many others, used all sorts of illegal substances. I'm not convinced, though, that using steroids is as effective as detractors say. I think having a ballpark custom built for your swing is probably far more effective.

(And yes, I'm well aware he only plays half his games at home ...)

"The game has a cleanness. If you do a good job, the numbers say so. You don't have to ask anyone or play politics. You don't have to wait for the reviews." - Sandy Koufax

sach0032 wrote:I'd be thrilled if Barroid never played again. Since the SOB has already backtracked from his "this is my final sesason" statement, I'm assuming his massive ego will drive him to break the record at any cost. After all, that's what made him start shooting roids in the first place....

Any more names for him?

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